Johann Lamont has quit as leader of the Scottish Labour Party. But who will replace her as leader of the Scottish party? Here are some of the names who have been mentioned.
Just days after the last month's referendum, the Daily Mail ran a story claiming that Jim Murphy was being lined up to replace Ms Lamont as Scottish Labour leader.
The paper said Labour Party sources had told them Mr Murphy would stand for the top job while still an MP - like Alex Salmond did with the SNP in 2004 - and then switch to the Scottish Parliament at the 2016 election.
The East Renfrewshire MP, who is still only 47 despite being at Westminster for 17 years, is fought a tough referendum campaign touring 100 towns in 100 days to deliver the No message.
Although this earned him much praise and gave him a high profile it has also marked him out as a divisive figure who may not be able to reach out to disaffected parts of the Labour heartlands.
BBC Scotland political editor Brian Taylor says that although Mr Murphy would be the front-runner the timing will be 'exceptionally difficult'.
He says: 'If Jim Murphy is to stand and say my future lies at Holyrood, what exactly does he say to his constituents who are about to re-elect him, or possibly someone else, in May next year?'
Anas Sarwar
Mr Sarwar is the current deputy leader of Scottish Labour and has taken over as caretaker leader in the wake of Johann Lamont's resignation.
The 31-year-old has been the Labour MP for Glasgow Central since 2010, succeeding his father Mohammad Sarwar, the first-ever Muslim MP in the UK.
Despite being a capable political operator, his youth and the fact he is a Westminster MP could be a barrier to the ambitious Glaswegian's progress.
He was also the subject of a row earlier this year over choosing to send his son to a private school rather than a state school.
Jackie Baillie
Having been an MSP since the beginning of the parliament in 1999, the 50-year-old is an experienced and capable as a front bench spokesperson.
Ms Baillie is likely to be the one to take the Labour spokesperson in the Scottish Parliament until a new leader is found but is unlikely to want to take on the leadership itself.
Kezia Dugdale
The 33-year-old MSP for the Lothian region represents the 'younger generation' of MSPs at Holyrood.
Although only a member of the Scottish Parliament since 2011 she has impressed in parliament and in the media.
However, Dugdale has the advantage of being a rising star at Holyrood and not being part of the Westminster party.
Jenny Marra
Like Kezia Dugdale, Jenny Marra is young and inexperienced.
But the 36-year-old Labour list MSP for North East Scotland is seen as talented and a good future prospect for the party.
Could it be that the time for that future has arrived sooner than anyone anticipated?
BBC Scotland Political editor Brian Taylor said: 'Some would say it has worked for the Scottish Tories, having a young, relatively inexperienced leader.
'But the Tories ain't Labour. Labour have a huge number of MPs and different baggage to carry. Just ask Johann Lamont!'
Gordon Brown
The former Labour prime minister is perhaps seen by some as yesterday's man but others such as Michael Connarty, Labour MP for Linlithgow and East Falkirk, said Mr Brown was 'a towering figure' who was 'speaking the language of the people of Scotland'.
Mr Brown's interventions towards the end of the referendum campaign displayed that he is still a political heavyweight who wields substantial influence.
Mr Connarty told BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme: 'We should be talking about Gordon and Gordon alone. I'll be seeking him out and so will other people.'
Posted by Unknown on Saturday, October 25, 2014 - Rating: 4.5
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